Robert E. Hess, of 315 E. Macada Road, Bethlehem, was recently given the highest honor of Scottish Rite Freemasonry at the annual meeting of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite in Pittsburgh. Hess was one of 158 members of the 1989 class to receive the Thirty-third degree, which is awarded for outstanding service to Freemasonry or for significant contribution to humanity, reflecting credit upon the fraternity.

To the Editor: As artistic director of Repertory Dance Theatre, I must disagree with Kathryn Williams' characterization of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in her Dec. 4 review of the area's "Nutcrackers." Our artistic staff, dancers and audience have always enjoyed "Nutcracker" at the Sottish Rite Cathedral, and we never felt the theater, in any way, detracted from our production. The Scottish Rite Cathedral has always been a wonderful facility for our performances, and we look forward to producing our spring ballet there.

William M. Mason III of Allentown and George Nakonetschny of Doylestown received the highest honor of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, the 33rd degree, Sept. 23 in Grand Rapids' DeVos Hall of the Grand Center Convention Complex. The degree conferral climaxed the yearly meeting of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite for the 15 northeastern and midwestern states comprising the 330,000-member Northern Jurisdiction of the United States. A total of 147 received the degree in the 1997 Class.The 33rd degree is awarded for "outstanding service to Freemasonry or for significant contributions to humanity, reflecting credit upon the fraternity."

The highest honor of Scottish Rite Freemasonry was recently conferred on three area Freemasons, highlighting the yearly meeting of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States made up of 475,000 members and 15 northeastern and midwestern states. The session was held in the Copley Place Marriott Hotel in Lexington, Mass. Receiving the 33rd degree for "outstanding service to Freemasonry or for significant contribution to humanity, reflecting credit upon the Fraternity" were John H. McQuilken of Macungie, Robert B. Smith of Stroudsburg and Phaon R. Herb of Orwigsburg.

William P. Olson of Quakertown was one of 134 Scottish Rite Freemasons to receive the 33rd degree at the yearly meeting of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, held recently in Uihlein Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee. The 33rd degree is the society's highest honor, awarded for "outstanding service to Freemasonry or for significant contributions to humanity, reflecting credit upon the Fraternity." The Northern Jurisdiction includes 15 northeastern and midwestern states with about 350,000 members.

Dale R. Shenberger of Alburtis will be among 140 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Masons elevated to the 33rd degree during a ceremony at the end of the annual meeting of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Freemasonry Tuesday in Cincinnati. The ceremony will be in the Taft Theatre. The 33rd degree is awarded for outstanding achievement within the fraternity or for contributions to others reflecting credit on Freemasonry. More than 2,100 33rd-degree masons from 15 northeastern and midwestern states will be at the meeting, the first time since 1986 that the council has met in Cincinnati.

Five residents of The Morning Call's circulation area are among 313 Scottish Rite Masons who will be elevated from the 32nd to the 33rd degree today at the annual meeting of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Masonry in Pittsburgh. They are Robert L. Allen of Pottsville, DeLight E. Breidegam Jr. of Fleetwood R.1, Charles S. Canning of Allentown, Marvin A. Cunningham of Collegeville and Ronald J. Norcross of Whitehall Township. A leading topic of discussion at the meeting will be the establishment of 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Centers for children with dyslexia.

The highest honor in Scottish Rite Freemasonry, the 33rd Degree, wasconferred recently on four area members of the Valley of Allentown at a meeting in Boston. Richard L. Evans Jr. of Souderton, Daniel G. Hess of Schnecksville, Richard H. Horne of Quakertown, and Julian W. Newhart of Coplay were awarded the degree for "outstanding service to Freemasonry or for significant contribution to humanity reflecting credit on the fraternity." The degree conferral highlighted the annual meetings of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite for the 15 states composing the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction with a membership of about 465,000.

The India Association presents an evening with Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, Allentown. Ghazals are Indian love poems. Ali puts the words to music. An accomplished classical singer, Ali will be accompanied by several traditional musicians. Information: 965-8336, 262-3397, or 432-8524.